Battery-powered spray wand

ABSTRACT

A system, apparatus and method are provided for spraying liquid contained in a reservoir remote from said apparatus. The spray apparatus includes a housing in which a pump is positioned. The pump has an inlet and an outlet. An electric motor positioned within the housing drives the pump when a power supply located in the housing selectively provides power to the motor. A flexible intake hose connected to the inlet of the pump extends out of the housing to provide a path for liquid to flow from the remote reservoir to the pump. A discharge device in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump discharges liquid from the apparatus in a desired spray pattern. The housing also includes a hose compartment for storing a predetermined length of the intake hose when the apparatus is not in use so that the intake hose can be extracted from and inserted into the hose compartment. The spray apparatus may further include an extension for varying the distance between the discharge device and the housing. Additionally, a portion of the housing may pivot with respect to another portion of the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid sprayers, and more particularlyto an improved battery-powered, hand-held spray wand used for convenientspraying of a desired liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sprayers have long been used to spray liquids of various types, such aswater, pesticides, herbicides and the like. Typically, conventionalsprayers include at least a liquid container, a pump and a dischargedevice such as a spray nozzle. The pump is used to supply the pressurenecessary to deliver the liquid from the liquid container to, forexample, a hand-held wand assembly for application of the liquid. Thesignificant shortcoming associated with these conventional devices isthat considerable time and effort is often required to fill the liquidcontainer prior to spraying. Additionally, the volume of the liquidcontainer may be inadequate for the volume of liquid needed for largerspraying operations, thereby requiring refilling of the liquid containerduring the spraying operation.

Accordingly, a need exists for a portable sprayer that allows for moreconvenient spraying of a desired liquid that is not limited by the sizeand location of the liquid reservoir. Additionally, there is a need fora portable sprayer that does not require filling of a liquid reservoirin the apparatus prior to and during spraying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome these and other disadvantages associated with known portablesprayers, a system, apparatus and method are provided for sprayingliquid contained in a reservoir remote from said apparatus. The sprayapparatus includes a housing in which a pump is positioned. The pump hasan inlet and an outlet. An electric motor positioned within the housingdrives the pump when a power supply located in the housing selectivelyprovides power to the motor. A flexible intake hose connected to theinlet of the pump extends out of the housing to provide a path forliquid to flow from the remote reservoir to the pump. A discharge devicein fluid communication with the outlet of the pump discharges liquidfrom the apparatus in a desired spray pattern.

The housing also includes a hose compartment for storing a predeterminedlength of the intake hose when the apparatus is not in use so that theintake hose can be extracted from and inserted into the hosecompartment. The spray apparatus may further include an extension forvarying the distance between the discharge device and the housing.Additionally, a portion of the housing may pivot with respect to anotherportion of the housing.

The foregoing specific objects and advantages of the invention areillustrative of those that can be achieved by the present invention andare not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantageswhich can be realized. Thus, these and other objects and advantages ofthis invention will be apparent from the description herein or can belearned from practicing this invention, both as embodied herein or asmodified in view of any variations which may be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention resides in thenovel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvementsherein shown and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures best illustrate the details of the preferredapparatus, system and method of the present invention. Like referencenumbers and designations in these figures refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 is a detailed illustration of a spray apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of a spray apparatus in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed illustration of a spray apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention that includes a hosecompartment;

FIG. 4 is a detailed illustration of a spray apparatus in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention that includes acompartment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a spray apparatus in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention that includes a portion that pivots with respectto the main body of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates a spray apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention that includes a portion that pivotswith respect to the main body of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of a spray apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention that includes an extensionfor increasing the distance between the discharge device and the mainbody of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 illustrates a system using a spray apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of using a spray apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a spray apparatus or wand assembly 1 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The main components of thespray apparatus or wand assembly 1 preferably include a power supply 2,motor 3, gear box or transmission 7, pump 9, intake hose 12, and sprayor discharge device 11. The motor 3 preferably drives the transmission7, which drives the pump 9. The power supply 2, motor 3, transmission 7and pump 9 are preferably mounted within the main body or housing of thespray apparatus 1.

The power supply 2 can be one or more rechargeable batteries, one-timedisposable batteries, or battery packs. The power supply 2 should be ofsufficient voltage to adequately supply power to the internal electricalcomponents of the spray apparatus 1, such as the motor 3. By way ofexample, the power supply 2 can be any voltage between 1 and 12 voltsDC. However, the voltage of the power supply 2 is in no way limited tothese sizes and may vary depending on the size and power requirements ofthe spray apparatus 1. The power supply 2 is able to provide power tothe internal components of the spray apparatus 1 (e.g., motor 3) bydepressing an on/off switch 5, which closes the circuit between thepower supply and the electrical components of the spray apparatus 1. Amore detailed description of the communication between the on/off switch5 and the electrical power circuit will be addressed in the figures thatfollow.

Referring to FIG. 1, the intake hose 12 is preferably a flexible hosethat is capable of being wound or folded as necessary. The intake hose12 is preferably made from a flexible or pliable material such as, butin no way limited to, rubber, plastic or other similar material. One endof the intake hose 12 is connected to the pump 9 in a conventionalmanner and the intake hose exits the spray apparatus 1 proximate to thefront of the spray apparatus 1 or proximal to the discharge device 11.Liquid passes through the intake hose 12 to the pump 9, where thepressurized liquid then passes through pump output conduit 10 fordischarge by the discharge device 11. The pump output conduit ispreferably made from a flexible or rigid hose, pipe or tubing that isconnected to the pump in a conventional manner. The discharge device 11is preferably a spray nozzle attached to the pump output conduit 10 in aconventional manner, such as by threading the nozzle onto the free endof the pump output conduit. The discharge device 11 is preferablycapable of providing a fixed and/or variable spray pattern. Preferably,if a variable spray pattern is desired, the discharge device 11 can berotated relative to the pump output conduit 10 to vary the spraypattern.

FIG. 2 illustrates a spray apparatus or wand assembly 1 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. The FIG. 2 embodimentdiffers from the embodiment in FIG. 1 in that the intake hose 12 entersthe spray apparatus 1 proximate to the rear of the spray apparatus 1 ordistal to the discharge device 11. In this embodiment, a first portionof intake hose 12 passes through the body or housing of the sprayapparatus 1 to connect to the pump 9 in a conventional manner. FIG. 3illustrates an example of how the intake hose 12 passes through the bodyor housing of the spray apparatus 1 and connects to the pump 9. However,unlike the intake hose 12 shown in FIG. 3, the intake hose 12 shown inFIG. 2 that extends outside the spray apparatus 1 is not meant to berecoiled on a recoil member.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the spray apparatus or wand assembly1 that includes a hose compartment 14 at the rear of the spray apparatus1 for storing the intake hose 12 when the spray apparatus is not in use.The hose compartment 14 includes an open chamber in which a recoilmember 15 is located. The recoil member 15 is preferably rotatablyconnected to the main body or housing of the spray apparatus 1. Therecoil member 15 is preferably bolt-shaped having a slotted end 17.However, the recoil member 15 is not limited to this particular shape.For example, instead of having a slotted end, the end 17 can be roundedor hexagon-shaped, or have a handle formed thereon, to allow for easymanipulation when assisting in the recoiling of the portion of theintake hose 12 extending outside the spray apparatus 1.

Preferably, at least a portion of the intake hose 12 is fixed to therecoil member 15 within the hose compartment 14. In this way, when theslotted end 17 of the recoil member 15 is rotated using a screw driver,finger or the like, the second portion of the intake hose 12 extendingoutside the spray apparatus 1 will wind around the recoil member 15 forstorage within the hose compartment 14 when the apparatus is not in use.The hose compartment 14 has an opening 13 that allows the second portionof the intake hose 12 to be moved freely to and from the hosecompartment 14. The recoil member 15 can be used for either inserting orextracting the intake hose 12 from the hose compartment 14. However, itis understood that the intake hose 12 can also be extracted by gentlypulling the intake hose 12 from the hose compartment 12.

In addition, the recoil member 15 may be spring-loaded such thatrotation in a first direction (e.g., to unwind the intake hose 12)compresses the spring and when the rotating force is released, thespring causes the recoil member 15 to rotate in the opposite directionto recoil or wind the intake hose 12.

In this embodiment, the first portion of the intake hose 12 in the hosecompartment 14 preferably communicates with the second portion of theintake hose 12 passing through in the main body or housing of the sprayapparatus 1 via a tube member or coupling 16 that passes between themain body of the apparatus 1 and the hose compartment 14. The tubemember 16 can preferably be made from a material similar to that of theintake hose or from a more rigid material such as metal. The tube member16 is at least partially hollow to allow liquid to pass freely throughthe intake hose 12 to the pump 9.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a preferred power circuit used to supply powerfrom the power supply 2 to the other electrical components (e.g., motor3) in the spray apparatus 1. The preferred power circuit in the sprayapparatus 1 includes normally-opened electrical contacts 4 that cometogether or close when the switch 5 is depressed or otherwise actuated.The contacts 4 close the power circuit in the spray apparatus 1 so thatthe motor 3 receives power from the power supply 2 to drive thetransmission 7 and pump 9. Power is preferably removed from the powercircuit when the switch 5 is released or otherwise actuated a secondtime, to separate the normally-open contacts 4 and thereby open thecircuit and disconnect power to the motor 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the spray apparatus or wandassembly 1 that includes a hose compartment 14. However, the hosecompartment 14 shown in FIG. 4 does not include a recoil member 15. Inthis embodiment, the intake hose 12 is both manually inserted andextracted from the hose compartment 14. Additionally, the intake hose 12is preferably a single, continuous flexible hose that passes through themain body or housing of the spray apparatus 1 to the hose compartment 14without the need for a tube member or coupling 16. A hook 18 is alsoprovided, preferably on the upper part of the body of the sprayapparatus 1 for conveniently storing the apparatus after use.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the spray apparatus or wandassembly 1 that includes an upper portion 19 that pivots with respect toa lower portion or main body 25. This embodiment differs from theaforementioned embodiments in that the body of the spray apparatus 1 isessentially two components that are hinged together via a bearing memberor pivot 21. The bearing member 21 allows for the upper or pivot portion19 of the spray apparatus 1 to pivot with respect to the lower or mainbody 25 of the apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the power supply 2 ispreferably located in the lower or main body 25, and the motor 3,transmission 7 and pump 9 are preferably located within the upper orpivot portion 19 of the spray apparatus 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the spray apparatus or wandassembly 1 that also includes an upper or pivot portion 19 that pivots.Like the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the spray apparatus 1shown in FIG. 6 has an upper or pivoting portion 19 that is hinged tothe lower or main body 25 of the spray apparatus 1 by a bearing memberor pivot 21. This embodiment differs slightly from the previousembodiment both in appearance and function. Specifically, the sprayapparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6 includes a hose compartment 14 similar tothat previously discussed in FIG. 4 in which the flexible hose 12 ismanually inserted into/retracted from the hose compartment 14.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the spray apparatus or wand assembly1 that includes an extension 22 for varying the distance 22 between thedischarge device 11 and the main body of the spray apparatus 1. By wayof example, the extension 22 can be permanent or removable from the mainbody of the spray apparatus 1. The length of the extension 22 may varybetween 3-12 inches, and the extension may also be straight in itsentirety or curved at the end proximate to the discharge device 11.However, the length of the extension 22 is in no way limited to therange of 3-12 inches and can vary depending on the desired sprayoperation to be completed. One end of the extension 22 may, for example,be removably threaded onto the main body 25 or onto the free end of thepump output conduit 10 to provide fluid communication between theconduit 10 and the discharge device 11. Additionally, the dischargedevice 11 may be removably threaded onto the opposing end of theextension 22 for attachment to and removal from the main body of thespray apparatus 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred system for using a spray apparatus orwand assembly 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The system shown in FIG. 8 preferably includes two maincomponents—a liquid reservoir 24 and the spray apparatus or wandassembly 1. The components of the spray apparatus 1 are the same as, forexample, those already discussed with respect to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 8, the flexible intake hose 12 extending from the sprayapparatus or wand assembly 1 is preferably attached to the liquidreservoir 24 using a clip, tie, hose clasp or the like, such that thefree end of the intake hose 12 is positioned below the surface of thefluid contained within the liquid reservoir 24. In the alternative, thefree end of the flexible intake hose 12 can be inserted directly intothe liquid reservoir 24 as a freestanding hose without the need for anattachment mechanism. The liquid reservoir 24 can be a portable orstationary container of liquid. The size of the liquid reservoir 24 canvary depending on the desired spraying operation. By way of example, theliquid reservoir 24 can be a single gallon container or a containerlarge enough to hold several gallons or more. Also, by way of example,the liquid reservoir 24 can contain any desired liquid to be sprayed,such as water, pesticides, herbicides and the like. However, the type onliquid used by the spray apparatus 1 will vary depending on the desiredspray operation and the spray apparatus 1 is in no way limited to anyspecific type of liquid. It is recognized that the spray apparatuscomponents should be compatible with the type of liquid being used.

Upon depression of the switch 5 on the spray apparatus 1, power issupplied to the motor 3 to drive the pump 9 via the transmission 7. Thepump 9 draws liquid from the reservoir 24 through the intake hose 12 andout through the outlet conduit 10 to the discharge device 11, resultingin the spray pattern 23 defined by the characteristics of the dischargedevice 11. The switch 5 is released or depressed again to disconnectpower to the motor 3 when the spray operation is completed. Aftercompletion of the spray operation, the intake hose 12 is recoiled ontothe recoil member 15 and stored in the hose compartment 14 on the sprayapparatus 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred method of using the spray apparatus orwand assembly 1. In Step Si, the intake hose 12 is extracted from thehose compartment 14 of the spray apparatus 1. The intake hose 12 ispreferably extracted from the hose compartment 14 either by rotating therecoil member 15 to unwind the recoiled hose and/or by gently pullingthe intake hose 12 from the hose compartment 14.

Once a sufficient length of intake hose 12 is extracted from the sprayapparatus or wand assembly 1, the free end of the intake hose 12 ispreferably attached to or otherwise inserted into the liquid reservoir24 in Step S2 such that the free end of the hose is below the surface ofthe liquid to be sprayed. The intake hose 12 can be attached to theliquid reservoir 24 using a conventional attachment mechanism known inthe art such as a clip, tie, hose clasp or the like. The free end of theintake hose 12 may also pass through a cap or closure (not shown) on theliquid reservoir 24 and extend into and below the surface of liquidcontained in the reservoir. As mentioned previously, the intake hose 12can also be inserted directly into the liquid reservoir 24 as afreestanding hose.

Once the free end of the intake hose 12 is attached to or otherwiseinserted within the reservoir 24, the switch 5 on the spray apparatus 1is depressed in Step S3. The depression of the switch 5 will result inpower being supplied from the batteries 2 to the motor 3, which drivesthe transmission 7 and pump 9 of the spray apparatus 1. The driven pump9 draws liquid from the reservoir 24 through the intake hose 12.

In Step S4, pressurized liquid from the pump 9 passes through pumpoutlet conduit 10 and is discharged via the discharge device 11. Thepattern of spray 23 from the discharge device 11 is determined by thecharacteristics of the discharge device, as well as by the rotation ormovement of the discharge device 11 relative to the pump outlet conduit10.

At the completion of the spray operation, the switch 5 is released ordepressed again to disconnect power to the motor 3. In Step S5, theintake hose 12 is then preferably inserted or recoiled back into thehose compartment 14 by rotating the recoil member 15 to wind some or allof the intake hose 12 extending outside the spray apparatus or wandassembly 1 about the recoil member for storage in hose compartment 14when the spray apparatus is not in use. Alternatively, the intake hose12 can be manually inserted back into the hose compartment 14, such asis in the embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 4.

Although illustrative embodiments have been described herein in detail,its should be noted and understood that the descriptions and drawingshave been provided for purposes of illustration only and that othervariations both in form and detail can be added thereupon withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. The terms andexpressions have been used as terms of description and not terms oflimitation. There is no limitation to use the terms or expressions toexclude any equivalents of features shown and described or portionsthereof.

1. An apparatus for spraying a liquid contained in a reservoir remotefrom the apparatus, comprising: a housing; a pump positioned in thehousing the pump having an inlet and an outlet; an electric motorpositioned within the housing for driving the pump; a power supplylocated in the housing for selectively providing power to the motor; adischarge device in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump fordischarging liquid from the apparatus in a desired spray pattern; and aflexible intake hose connected to the inlet of the pump and extendingout of the housing to provide a path for liquid to flow from the remotereservoir to the pump; wherein the housing includes a hose compartmentfor storing a predetermined length of the intake hose when the apparatusis not in use so that the intake hose can be extracted from and insertedinto the hose compartment.
 2. The spray apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a recoil member rotatably positioned within the hosecompartment for recoiling the intake hose into the hose compartment. 3.The spray apparatus of claim 2, wherein a portion of the recoil memberextends through the housing to facilitate rotation of the recoil member.4. The spray apparatus of claim 3, wherein the portion of the recoilmember extending through the housing includes means for rotating therecoil member.
 5. The spray apparatus of claim 2, further comprising aspring cooperating with the recoil member to bias the recoil member in afirst rotational direction.
 6. The spray apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe housing comprises a first housing portion pivotally connected to asecond housing portion.
 7. The spray apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedischarge device is positioned on the first housing portion and the hosecompartment is located in the second housing portion.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the hose compartment is located distal to thedischarge device.
 9. The spray apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinga switch to selectively control the supply of power to the motor. 10.The spray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises atleast one battery.
 11. The spray apparatus of claim 9, wherein thebattery is rechargeable.
 12. The spray apparatus or claim 9, whereinbattery is a one-time use battery.
 13. The spray apparatus of claim 1,wherein the discharge device is a spray nozzle.
 14. The spray apparatusof claim 1, further comprising an outlet conduit having a first endconnected to the outlet of the pump and a second end in fluidcommunication with the discharge device to provide a path for liquid toflow from the pump to the discharge device.
 15. The spray apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the discharge device is mounted on the second end ofthe outlet conduit.
 16. The spray apparatus of claim 15, wherein thedischarge device is removably threaded onto the second end of the outletconduit.
 17. The spray apparatus of claim 14, further comprising anextension conduit having a proximal end connected to the first end ofthe outlet conduit and a distal end attached to the discharge device tovary the distance between the discharge device and the housing.
 18. Thespray apparatus of claim 17, wherein the discharge device removablythreads onto the distal end of the extension conduit.
 19. The sprayapparatus of claim 17, wherein the extension conduit is straight. 20.The spray apparatus of claim 17, wherein the extension conduit iscurved.
 21. The spray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intake hoseextends from the housing proximal to the discharge device.
 22. The sprayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the intake hose extends from the housingdistal to the discharge device.
 23. The spray apparatus of claim 1,wherein the intake hose extends through a cap for sealing at least partof the remote liquid reservoir.
 24. A system for spraying a liquid,comprising: a liquid reservoir, and a spray apparatus remote from theliquid reservoir, the spray apparatus including a housing, a pumppositioned in the housing, the pump having an inlet and an outlet, anelectric motor positioned within the housing for driving the pump, apower supply located in the housing for selectively providing power tothe motor, a discharge device in fluid communication with the outlet ofthe pump for discharging liquid from the apparatus in a desired spraypattern, and a flexible intake hose connected to the inlet of the pumpand extending out of the housing to provide a path for liquid to flowfrom the remote reservoir to the plump; wherein the housing includes ahose compartment for storing a predetermined length of the intake hosewhen the apparatus is not in use so that the intake hose can beextracted from and inserted into the hose compartment.
 25. The system ofclaim 24, further comprising a recoil member rotatably positioned withinthe hose compartment for recoiling the intake hose into the hosecompartment.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein a portion of the recoilmember extends through the housing to facilitate rotation of the recoilmember.
 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the portion of the recoilmember extending through the housing includes means for rotating therecoil member.
 28. The system of claim 24, further comprising a springcooperating with the recoil member to bias the recoil member in a firstrotational direction.
 29. The system of claim 24, wherein the housingcomprises a first housing portion pivotally connected to a secondhousing portion.
 30. The system of claim 24, wherein the dischargedevice is positioned on the first housing portion and the hosecompartment is located in the second housing portion.
 31. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the hose compartment is located distal to thedischarge device.
 32. The system of claim 24, further comprising aswitch to selectively control the supply of power to the motor.
 33. Thesystem of claim 24, wherein the power supply comprises at least onebattery.
 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the battery isrechargeable.
 35. The system of claim 33, wherein battery is a one-timeuse battery.
 36. The system of claim 24, wherein the discharge device isa spray nozzle.
 37. The system of claim 24, further comprising an outletconduit having a first end connected to the outlet of the pump and asecond end in fluid communication with the discharge device to provide apath for liquid to flow from the pump to the discharge device.
 38. Thesystem of claim 37, wherein the discharge device is mounted on thesecond end of the outlet conduit.
 39. The system of claim 38, whereinthe discharge device is removably threaded onto the second end of theoutlet conduit.
 40. The system of claim 37, further comprising anextension conduit having a proximal end connected to the first end ofthe outlet conduit and a distal end attached to the discharge device tovary the distance between the discharge device and the housing.
 41. Thesystem of claim 40, wherein the discharge device removably threads ontothe distal end of the extension conduit.
 42. The spray apparatus ofclaim 40, wherein the extension conduit is straight.
 43. The system ofclaim 40, wherein the extension conduit is curved.
 44. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the intake hose extends from the housing proximal tothe discharge device.
 45. The system or claim 24, wherein the intakehose extends from the housing distal to the discharge device.
 46. Thesystem of claim 24, further comprising a cap attached to the remotereservoir, wherein the intake hose extends through the cap and into theremote reservoir.
 47. A method of spraying a liquid from a sprayapparatus, comprising: extracting a length of flexible intake hose froma hose compartment in the apparatus; attaching an end of the intake hoseto a liquid reservoir remote from the apparatus; energizing a motorwithin the apparatus via a power supply, pumping liquid from the remoteliquid reservoir to the apparatus via the intake hose; and dischargingthe pumped liquid through a discharge device.
 48. The method of claim47, further comprising inserting the length of intake hose within thehose compartment to store the intake hose when the apparatus is not inuse.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the intake hose is insertedwithin the hose compartment using a recoil member rotatably mountedwithin the hose compartment.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein aspring biases the recoil member to rotate in a direction to cause theintake hose to wrap about the recoil member within the hose compartment.51. The method of claim 47, further comprising changing the direction orspray by attaching the discharge device to an extension conduit that iscurved with respect to a main body of the apparatus.
 52. The method ofclaim 47, further comprising changing the direction of spray by pivotingone housing portion of the apparatus relative to a second housingportion of the apparatus.
 53. The method of claim 47, wherein the intakehose is attached to the remote liquid reservoir by passing an end of theintake hose through a cap mounted on the reservoir and into thereservoir.
 54. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote liquidreservoir is portable.
 55. The apparatus or claim 54, wherein theportable remote liquid reservoir is adapted to be carried on a person.56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the portable remote liquidreservoir is adapted to be carried about the person's waist.
 57. Theapparatus of claim 56, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir isdimensioned to contain various amounts of liquid.
 58. The apparatus ofclaim 56, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir is dimensioned tocontain about one gallon of liquid.
 59. The apparatus of claim 55,wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir is adapted to be carriedabout the person's back.
 60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein theportable remote liquid reservoir is dimensioned to contain variousamounts of liquid.
 61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the portableremote liquid reservoir is dimensioned to contain about three to fourgallons of liquid.
 62. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the portableremote liquid reservoir is adapted to be carried by a person's hand. 63.The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoiris dimensioned to contain various amounts of liquid.
 64. The apparatusof claim 62, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir is dimensionedto contain about one gallon of liquid.
 65. The apparatus of claim 54,wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir comprises a wheel assemblyto facilitate movement of the reservoir.
 66. The system of claim 24,wherein the remote liquid reservoir is portable.
 67. The system of claim66, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir is adapted to becarried on a person.
 68. The system of claim 67, wherein the portableremote liquid reservoir is adapted to be carried about the person'swaist.
 69. The system of claim 68, wherein the portable remote liquidreservoir is dimensioned to contain various amounts of liquid.
 70. Thesystem of claim 68, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir isdimensioned to contain about one gallon of liquid.
 71. The system ofclaim 67, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir is adapted to becarried about the person's back.
 72. The system of claim 71, wherein theportable remote liquid reservoir is dimensioned to contain variousamounts of liquid.
 73. The system of claim 71, wherein the portableremote liquid reservoir is dimensioned to contain about three to fourgallons of liquid.
 74. The system of claim 66, wherein the portableremote liquid reservoir is adapted to be carried by a person's hand. 75.The system of claim 74, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir isdimensioned to contain various amounts of liquid.
 76. The system ofclaim 74, wherein the portable remote liquid reservoir is dimensioned tocontain about one gallon of liquid.
 77. The system of claim 66, whereinthe portable remote liquid reservoir comprises a wheel assembly tofacilitate movement of the reservoir.